SESSION 1895-96. xxxvii 



Field Meeting, 18th July, 1896. 

 ALDENHAM HOUSE, ELSTREE. 



The last Field ^Meeting of the summer was held at Aldenham 

 House, the Hertfordshire seat of Lord Aldenham, by his kind 

 permission. The preliminary arran<>;ements were made by Mr. F. "W. 

 Silvester, but he was unable to be present at the meeting. 



The members, most of whom had travelled by train to Elstree, 

 assembled in front of Aldenham House at about half-past three, 

 and were received by Mr. Vicary Gibbs, M.P., who kindly showed 

 them over the house. Having to leave early Mr. Gibbs transferred 

 the guidance of the party through the gardens and pleasure-grounds 

 to Lord Aldenham's head-gardener, Mr. Edwin Beckett, F.K.H.S., 

 by whom, xmder his Lordship's direction, they have recently been 

 greatly improved and beautitied. 



Aldenham House stands in a park of about 200 acres, which 

 nearly reaches from Elstree to Aldenham, and there is a main 

 entrance fi'om each of these villages. Approaching from Elstree, 

 about half-way along the carriage-drive through the park, an 

 artificial lake, the water in which is derived from Elstree Reservoir, 

 is crossed by a pretty rustic bridge, and on either side the drive 

 runs a row of fine young chestnut -trees. Many other trees have 

 recently been planted in various parts of the park, in which, also, 

 there are fine old trees; tall elms, spreading oaks, towering 

 poplars, fragrant limes, shimmering beeches, quivering birches, 

 and handsome chestnuts abounding. 



The mansion is of red brick, and dates from about the end of 

 the seventeenth century, but several of the principal rooms are 

 of the time of Charles the First. The gardens encircle the house, 

 and, with the pleasure-grounds, cover seventy-fi^e acres. The 

 lavra is planted with evergreens and flowering shrubs ; the flower- 

 garden is always effectively and tastefully planted ; there are rose- 

 gardens and gardens of American plants; and a lime-tree walk 

 leads to the wild garden, or " wilderness " as it is called, the paths 

 through which are all turfed; and then comes the "rootery," 

 a spot in which roots of arboreal giants are utilized in working 

 out various effects. In the wilderness and rootery are large 

 patches of double-flowered bramble, hydrangeas, heaths, and 

 climbing roses, which are allowed to grow unrestricted, giving 

 a picturesque beauty not attained under more formal culture, and 

 enhanced by the bracken and tall grasses which thrive beneath 

 the fine oaks and other trees, chiefly devoted to. the growth of 

 fruit, flowers for cutting, and plants for decoration. A new 

 kitchen-garden, two acres in extent, a new orchard, and the 

 various glass houses, were also seen, and tea was then prepared by 

 Mrs. Beckett, and partaken of underneath some splendid trees on 

 the lawn. 



The thanks of the party for the enjoyable afternoon which had 

 been spent were accorded to Lord Aldenham, Mr. Vicary Gibbs, 

 and Mr. and Mrs. Beckett. 



